Agni Purana — Vyavahara, Shloka 8
Ṛग्विधानम् (Ṛgvidhāna) — Applications of Ṛgvedic Mantras through Japa and Homa
गायत्री परमा जाप्या महाव्याहृतयस् तथा अन्तर्जले तथा राम प्रोक्तश् चैवाघमर्षणः
gāyatrī paramā jāpyā mahāvyāhṛtayas tathā antarjale tathā rāma proktaś caivāghamarṣaṇaḥ
ਗਾਇਤਰੀ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਉੱਤਮ ਜਪਯੋਗ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਹੈ; ਇਸੇ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਮਹਾਵਿਆਹ੍ਰਿਤੀਆਂ ਵੀ। ਜਲ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਰਹਿ ਕੇ ਵੀ ਜਪ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ; ਅਤੇ ਰਾਮ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਉਪਦੇਸ਼ਿਤ ਅਘਮਰਸ਼ਣ (ਸੂਕਤ) ਵੀ ਪਾਪ-ਨਿਵਾਰਣ ਲਈ ਹੈ।
Lord Agni (in instruction mode within the Agni Purana’s ritual-vidhi sections)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Mantra","secondary_vidya":"Vrata","practical_application":"Prioritize Gayatri-japa and mahavyahriti-japa; perform japa in water and employ the Aghamarshana hymn (as taught by Rama) for sin-removal rites.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Gayatri and Mahavyahriti japa; antar-jala japa; Aghamarshana for agha-marjana","lookup_keywords":["Gayatri","mahavyahriti","antar-jala japa","Aghamarshana","Rama"],"quick_summary":"Gayatri is declared the foremost japa-mantra; vyahritis are also to be repeated. Japa may be performed within water, and Aghamarshana is prescribed as a dedicated sin-cleansing recitation."}
Concept: Mantra hierarchy (Gayatri as supreme) and supportive recitations (vyahritis, Aghamarshana) form an integrated purification discipline.
Application: Build a daily/periodic practice: snana → antar-jala japa (Gayatri + vyahritis) → Aghamarshana recitation for focused expiation.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi / Mantra-japa and Snana-prayoga (Purificatory rites)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: Tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A practitioner immersed in water performing japa of Gayatri and vyahritis, then reciting Aghamarshana as a sin-washing rite; a teacher-figure ‘Rama’ indicated as the transmitter.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: temple tank with devotee half-submerged, hands in japa-mudra, faint script bands for Gayatri/vyahriti, a sage-like Rama on the bank instructing, traditional mural palette.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: central water-rite with gold-highlighted ripples, ornate text cartouches for Gayatri and vyahritis, Rama as teaching figure with gold aura, rich decorative border.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: instructional panel—(1) antar-jala japa (2) vyahriti recitation (3) Aghamarshana—clean composition, fine detailing of ritual posture and implements.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: riverside teaching scene, disciple in water reciting, Rama-like teacher seated under a tree, delicate landscape and calligraphic mantra panels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kalyani","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रोक्तश् चैवाघमर्षणः → प्रोक्तः + च + एव + अघमर्षणः; अन्तर्जले is tatpuruṣa (अन्तर् + जले).
Related Themes: Agni Purana 258 (Gayatri, vyahriti, snana-prayoga)
FAQs
It prescribes core purificatory japa: repeating the Gāyatrī and the Mahāvyāhṛtis, including a practice of recitation associated with being in water (antarjale), and using the Aghamarṣaṇa hymn as a formal sin-removing recitation.
It exemplifies the text’s practical ritual manual dimension by listing standardized Vedic mantras (Gāyatrī, Vyāhṛtis) and a specific expiatory/purificatory hymn (Aghamarṣaṇa), showing how the Purana compiles actionable liturgical procedures alongside broader theology and dharma.
The verse frames these recitations—especially Aghamarṣaṇa—as instruments for pāpa-kṣaya (diminution of sin) and inner purification, aligning mantra-japa and water-associated rites with cleansing karmic impurities.